Battery Box

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Indefinitely. I don't know anyone who dry camps w/o a method of recharging; solar, generator, or both.

We do. We minimize power usage, and installed 2 232AH GC-2 batteries for 4 nights dry camping without dropping below 50%.

Use the lights very little, usually use flashlights at night. Heater is big draw. We plan for 50% heater cycle at night. Heater fan @ 4 amps for 5 hours/night = 20AH/day. Heat not needed during day. If temps are warm, Fantastic Fan on low for 10 hours = 17AH/day (instead of heater). Fridge has no DC control board, but 70mA fan for fridge @24 hours = 1.68AH/day. CO/propane detector is 250mA = 6AH/day.

After 4 nights, water tank is empty, fridge is close to empty, and it's time to replenish and find another place to camp. Replace some to most of the charge during drive to new site. In actual usage we seldom dry camp more than 3 nights - and it's often 2 nights - in the same spot.

No generator, no solar, no hassles.

Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122 A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by pgandw

We do. We minimize power usage, and installed 2 232AH GC-2 batteries for 4 nights dry camping without dropping below 50%.

Use the lights very little, usually use flashlights at night. Heater is big draw.

No generator, no solar, no hassles.

Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122 A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

Congrats! I have now heard of someone purposefully dry camping for more than two days with no recharge means.

But I don't agree about the no hassle part. Just a different kind of hassle. Instead of recharging, you go without lights and other niceties that are available in your RV if you used solar or generator recharge. But to each his own. Happy camping!

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

But I don't agree about the no hassle part. Just a different kind of hassle. Instead of recharging, you go without lights and other niceties that are available in your RV if you used solar or generator recharge. But to each his own. Happy camping!

With a 1 room A-frame (7ft x 12ft box), and bright LED lights standard, the flashlights/reading lamps work better for reading at night without disturbing each other.

Again, with a 1 room A-frame, our cooking, eating, cleanup, lounging is generally done at/near the picnic table.

Most of the day is usually spent away from the campsite. Which means solar and/or generator is even more hassle for us than for most others.

Our style of camping is not for everyone, but suits us well. But I do appreciate your response. Having spent years in the world of small cruising sailboats and installing remote communications sites in Alaska, I have learned power management. I am content with the choices we have made regarding power because the simplicity enhances our camping style.

Below are pictures of our battery box and cut-off switch, and the A-frame at Arches NP. I made the wooden top when the plastic battery box cover was lost in the crosswinds on a trip to Nebraska.

Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122 A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[lennyk325]

Originally Posted by doulos

It really depends on what you plan on running and how long you plan on running it. You need to look at each item's amp hour rating and do the math.

That makes sense, I got to see my RV at a show so I was able to grab power usage from some of the stuff, now I have some meat to work with, thank you for the info!!!!!

[lennyk325]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

With two batteries of any kind, you should be able to run through the night with what you mentioned. I wouldn't run max air vents all night, but that's just me.

We just spent several weeks boondocking where the night temps were around 20. Our heater would run most of the night, and batteries would still be at 60% or better in the morning. Then we would run the generators about 6 hours throughout the day to recharge. We typically don't run the generators at night. We use 2 12v Interstate Marine batteries which usually last us 5 years. We boondock 80% of the time.

Get a multi meter and keep track of your batteries charge. Lots of charts on internet to explain percentages.

Have fun!!!!

Thank you for your reply, I’m starting to think this is going to work out just fine, I can’t wait to get this RV now

[spock123]

To each his own and I realize that’s why different campers are made but the only way I could get DW in a A-frame would be if she was dead. Personally I like a Scamp but DW would stay home

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by spock123

To each his own and I realize that’s why different campers are made but the only way I could get DW in a A-frame would be if she was dead. Personally I like a Scamp but DW would stay home

I hear ya! Liz and I started in the back of a truck with a tarp. But these days I'm in your boat, it's the luxury fiver or nothing;( So my brother and I bought a simple popup to get way back in the wilderness where we used to go. Of course now, it's an all guy trip.